saving face
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In that scene from “Grease,” Danny excitedly greets his summer sweetheart Sandy, before quickly playing it too cool and aloof, saving face for his T-Birds greaser squad.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2025
Cooke leaders proved to be bad actors at every turn, more concerned with saving face than taking accountability.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 22, 2023
Our Chinese culture is full of stoicism and saving face.
From Salon ● Jan. 29, 2023
It is possible that Mr Musk is buying himself some time and saving face, ahead of a court case that many predicted he was unlikely to win.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2022
He was only saving face with the family, she knew, but she felt she had somehow failed in his eyes.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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